I Never Let You Go (I Never 3)

“Well, stop moping around and do something about it.” His voice raised enough to get his point across but not draw attention to us.

“What am I supposed to do, Dad?” I exhaled loudly, frustrated with myself and my situation.

My dad spun me around to face him. “Fight for her. Get your head out of your damn ass and tell her that you love her. Go get the girl.”

Sitting alone at the table, I play with the name card in front of me. Mr. Griffin Reynolds, Sr. I’ve never had a problem sharing a name with my father; it’s a strong name to live up to. My father not only raised a family, but created and ran a successful business, and here I am a coward, avoiding my ex-girlfriend because now that I know she is not with that groomsman, I can’t help but wonder, has someone else replaced me in her heart? Would she even talk to me if I walked up to her after she cut me out of her life so abruptly? I broke us up. I was so caught up in her rejection that I let us fall apart.

My fingers are fidgety as I replay my father’s words over and over in my head. I imagine him sitting here asking me, “What the hell are you doing sitting here? Go fight for her.” And he’s right—sitting here sulking and avoiding her will get us nowhere. I let my pride get in the way once; I refuse to do it again.

I look around the room at all the guests mingling. I haven’t spotted Lauren since she had disappeared in the crowd off the dance floor, but I see my mom chatting with Lauren’s mom, Liz. They have been talking up a storm, and it’s been great to see my mom smile again, which seems to be sparse these days since we lost my dad.

I begin to search for her again, and while I don’t see that Lawson, I do see another I should say hello to. Kyler and his wife are making their rounds around the room when I approach them.

“Kyler Lawson, a married man. I never thought I’d see the day.” For real, I can’t believe he is grown-up enough to be married. What happened to the same kid who used to try to break the world record for balancing a spoon on his nose? He made it four minutes and thirty-nine seconds because he sneezed and launched the spoon right into Kate’s face.

I extend my hand to his and pull him into a hug, slapping his back. We pull back when his new bride clears her throat.

“Oh shit, sorry. Finn, meet my beautiful wife, Dani. Dani, this is Finn Reynolds. He—” Kyler pauses, and I wonder how he’s going to introduce me. “—is an old family friend.” Between the introduction and the confusion on Kyler’s wife’s face, I think it’s safe to assume Lauren has never mentioned me. Once upon a time, I was her everything, and now I’m nothing.

She reaches her hand out, and I take it. “It’s nice to meet you, Finn.” Dani smiles, and I nod, indicating the same.

“What the hell are you even doing here?” The confusion on Kyler’s face answers my question as to whether Lauren knew I was coming. It seems Mom didn’t relay the message at all. “I never thought I’d see you back on the East Coast.”

I place my hand in my pocket, fighting that emotion yet again today. “I’m my mom’s plus one. You know, after…” I look down and bite my cheek to keep from getting upset.

Kyler grips my arm. “I’m really sorry about…”

No, this is his wedding day—we aren’t making this about me—so I cut him off. “Yeah, thanks. Congratulations, it was a beautiful wedding.” I turn to Dani. “You’ve got a good one here, Dani. I’ve watched this kid grow up, and the Lawsons are a wonderful family.”

When Dani wraps her arms around Kyler and smiles at him with such adoration, my heart twinges. Lauren and I should have had that. I need to find her and talk to her. At her brother’s wedding may not be the best place, but this is the first time in ten years that I have seen her, and I just need to talk to her, to hear her voice.

“We’ll have to catch up soon. What’s it been, ten years?” I ask, knowing the exact answer.

Ten years since I have heard her voice in person.

Ten years since I held her in my arms.

Ten years since I have felt complete.

Kyler nods. “How long are you in town for? We leave for our honeymoon tomorrow.” Kyler looks around the room, and I wonder if he is looking for the same person I am. Boy is he in for a big surprise when I drop this bombshell.

“I’m back for good, taking over things with Dad’s company.”

His face goes blank. “Oh shit. Does Lauren know?”

“No.” I try to keep my face composed; I hope they can’t read what I’m thinking. Does me being back here give us the chance we finally have been waiting for?

I begin to search the room for Lauren, just like Ky had. The smallest smile tips my lips when I see her leaning up against the bar in the far corner.

“If you two will excuse me.” I straighten my jacket and take a deep breath.

“Yeah, I’ll see you around,” Kyler says from right in front of me, but it sounds distant as my focus is no longer on him and his bride. I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s time to get my girl. Being this close to her has been torture.

“Congrats, and it was a pleasure meeting you, Dani,” I manage to get out while I make my way past the bride and groom.

As I approach her, I feel the same nerves I felt the night of the homecoming game our sophomore year of high school when I finally gathered the balls to kiss the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I have to pray that me approaching her at the wedding is a good idea because she wouldn’t dare make a scene right now, right? Here’s hoping. I swallow deeply as I qui

ckly close the distance. The years may have changed us both, but I know that deep down, she has to be the same girl I fell in love with. My Lo.